Govt Going Paperless With Mineral Rights Application

In line with the government’s aim of improving the ease of doing business in Ghana, the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, is implementing a paperless/online mineral rights application system, sector minister, Kwaku Asomah-Cheremeh, has said.

He said that Phase 1 (that is an online data repository) has been completed and piloted in Minerals Commission District two (2) offices (Bolgatanga and Tarkwa).

The Phase 2 of the project, which involves the total digitisation of the licensing procedure, is underway and will be completed by December 2019.

Speaking at a press conference in Accra on Wednesday, 11 September 2019, Mr Asomah-Cheremeh said: “This platform, once fully operationalised, will allow improved access to information: this will enable mining companies, investors, stakeholders and civil society organisations to access mineral rights information from any part of the globe; increase transparency in mineral rights administration & associated revenues: recording of all revenues related to the licences, among others.”

He added: “With the ban on small-scale mining lifted in December 2018, the ministry anticipated an increase in small-scale mining activity.

“The ministry is, therefore, pursuing strategies that will ensure that the sector does not experience a relapse of activities that necessitated the ban.”